To Predict Dementia Risk, Measure the Change in NT-proBNP Over Time

Measuring the change in a patient’s N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be effective for predicting future dementia risk, according to a new analysis of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). 

The determination comes after the researchers found that an increase in NT-proBNP over 3.2 years is independently associated with future all-cause hospitalized dementia.

To evaluate the association between NT-proBNP change and incident dementia, the researchers analyzed data on 4563 MESA participants who had not had cardiovascular disease at enrollment. The participants were included if they had had their NT-proBNP level measured at MESA exams 1 (baseline, 2000-2002) and 3 (2004-2005) and had not received a diagnosis of dementia before exam 3.

The association between the change in NT-proBNP level between MESA exams 1 through 3 and all-cause hospitalized dementia after MESA exam 3 through 2015 was assessed.

During 45,522 person-years of follow-up, 223 cases of dementia were recorded. According to the researchers, there was a positive association between an increase in log-NT-proBNP from MESA exams 1 through 3 and incidence of dementia.

In fact, results of a multivariable analysis showed that an increase of at least 25% in NT-proBNP level from MESA exam 1 through 3 was associated with a 55% increase in the risk of dementia.

“Addition of temporal NT-proBNP change to a model including risk factors and baseline NT-proBNP improved the prediction of dementia,” the researchers concluded.

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Ostovaneh MR, Moazzami K, Yoneyama K, et al. Change in NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) level and risk of dementia in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Hypertension. 2020;75(2):316-323. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.13952.